Persons under the age of 18 must have completed Driver Education, have a Class D license, and have written permission from parents or the duly appointed legal guardian prior to taking the state approved novice motorcycle course. The Graduated Driver License (GDL) is a permit, not a license until it is upgraded to a Class D license when the driver completes 12 months of supervised driving experience.
The Division publishes a Delaware Motorcycle Operator Manual which covers the requirements for the Motorcycle endorsement, procedures to acquire the endorsement, testing requirements, and the basic knowledge needed to obtain this endorsement.
Motorcycle Rider Courses
You can receive course information the following ways:
You can go to www.dmv.de.gov, click on driver services, and click on motorcycle training courses. You can download the registration form. Completely fill it out indicating your first and second choices for classes. Return this form to the REGISTRATION OFFICE, P.O. Box 7346, Wilmington, DE 19803-9997, not to a DMV office, with a check or money order made out to the DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES. Cash or counter checks are non-acceptable. No class spaces will be reserved without receipt of payment. Once registered for a class, a student who requests a change of class will incur an additional $15.00 fee. There is a $25.00 fee for all returned checks.
- You can e-mail your name and address, city, state, zip to motorcyclecourse@state.de.us and a brochure and course registration will be mailed to your requested address.
- You may call 1-302-326-5030 in New Castle County; or 1-302-744-2658 for Kent and Sussex Counties, and listen to the recorded message. Leave the requested information on the voice mail recorder, clearly and distinctly. A course registration form will be mailed to your requested address.
- A course registration form is also available in the back of the Motorcycle Operator Manual which can be downloaded or picked up at any Motor Vehicle Division office in any county; or
- You can pick up a course brochure at any Motor Vehicle Division office in any county.
You can extend the permit only once for an additional 60 days.
You must apply for an extension at DMV before the expiration date and pay a $2.00 fee. The following restrictions apply when operating a motorcycle with a temporary motorcycle learner's permit.
- No passengers shall be allowed on the motorcycle.
- Operating a motorcycle between sunset and sunrise is prohibited.
- Approved safety helmet and eye protection must be worn.
- Operation is not permitted on the federal interstate highway system.
- You can take the motocycle road test anytime after 10 days but within 60 days at the DMV facility you received your permit.
School Bus Endorsement
To drive a school bus, the driver must have a CDL license with a passenger and school bus endorsement. To obtain a school bus endorsement, drivers must not have been suspended or revoked in the last five years, and have less than 6 points on their record. They must then receive special training and pass a medical exam. The Delaware Department of Education provides the training and authorization for this endorsement. Contact your local School District Transportation Supervisor or Department of Education School Bus Coordinator at 739-4696 for further information.
Taxi Endorsement
All persons who operate a taxi cab on Delaware highways must have a valid license with a taxi endorsement. The driver must complete a Defensive Driving Course, be at least 18 years of age, provide a certified copy of a police background check indicating no serious criminal offenses, not have been revoked for the past five years, and pass the eye screen and written tests. The fee for this endorsement is $3.75.
